In that time it ascended to the top step of the podium and then plunged to the back of the field once again. After two seasons in the doldrums many expected the team to get back on its feet in 2009, but now we may never know.

Here’s a look back at each Grand Prix Honda Racing entered in the last three years with drivers Rubens Barrichello and Jenson button: the highs, and then the lows.

Malaysia 2006: Third for Button behind the Renaults

Australia 2006: Button starts on pole but engine detonates on final lap

Maybe it’s the Asian-oriental mentality of “face”. Going backwards is seen as a, somewhat, bad thing. By which means if your current car is a dog, you have to make it that (or make-believe) it is, and will be, better than your previous effort.

It bewildered me – if you sell your chassis to another team, and they are making leapbounds over you (say, overtaking a Mr Alonso in a McLaren), you have to question why bother with the new one when the old one is clearly superior. Mind you, nothing wrong with the B-teams showing up the A-teams … STR showing up Red Bull this season was simply a class act in its own. Everyone loves an underdog story :)